Posted by Rick Burten on February 03, 2003 at 20:28:05:
In Reply to: quarter horse with chronic abscess posted by Carol on February 01, 2003 at 23:06:08:
: I have a 20 yr. old quarter horse that has had a chronic abscess in his hind foot since July 2001. It comes and goes. Each time I have the farrier open it up, we drain, soak, use ichthammol dressing, and
: wrap. I keep this foot wrapped and clean until the hole from the drain grows out. I will get him sound and the abscess will return. It is located in the toe area, but not in the wall of the hoof. The end of this December we put a pad and shoe on. He comes up sore every week. Twice I have given him one bute. He will be better for a week and the soreness will return. I have had the hoof Xrayed twice. The first time the vet said it looked as if there was a trail like an ant farm. The second time she could only see the hole or area where the abscess is. It was approx. 1/2 inch from the bone. The coffin bone is not rotated. It just stays in the same spot in the toe. We live in New Jersey and right now the ground is frozen and uneven, which makes it more difficult for him to walk. We have also given him antibiotics twice, inject penicilin in the hole, and 7% iodine. My farrier, vet and I are at a loss.
: If anyone has any ideas or thoughts I would really appreciate your input. Thanks, Carol
You need a second veterinary opinion. No abcess should continue to drain for 18 months without resolution. You may have to go to a veterinary teaching hospital affiliated with a University to get access to the kind of equipment and expertise that this case appears to need. The foot may need to be opened up so the abcess can be fully cleaned out, and any necrotic tissue removed. There may be a piece of wood or glass or something in the foot that will not/does not show up on x-ray. At this point, some exploratory surgery is indicated.
Rick